Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita, announced Saturday night that he was endorsing Scott Wilk — one of four candidates running for the 38th Assembly District — for the seat he will be vacating.

In the open June primary, Wilk is expected to face fellow Republicans Patricia McKeon, wife of Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon; local high school board member Paul Strickland; and Democrat and Santa Fernando Valley businessman Edward Headington.

The two top vote-getters will appear on the November presidential ballot.

Smyth said that he has known Wilk since his father, Clyde Smyth, pointed to Wilk as someone to talk to when Smyth was looking to get into politics. Smyth attended a fundraiser held on behalf of Wilk at Shelley and G. Marshall Hann’s Valencia home Saturday evening.

“In my mind, there is no better person to go to Sacramento and represent the 38th District than Scott Wilk,” Smyth said. “In the era of term limits, you don’t have time for people to slowly learn the system.”

Smyth added that he feels comfortable — as a constituent — supporting Wilk. Smyth declined to state what his future plans were in an interview with the Signal Saturday night, saying that he wanted the focus to remain on Wilk.

“I feel very comfortable as a constituent in the 38th Assembly District in supporting Scott,” Smyth said.

Scott Wilk has now have to be considered the Republican front-runner in this race. Smyth’s endorsement will help Wilk with not only other Republicans, but certainly in fundraising.